‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Ratings Show Huge, Dramatic Swing
'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' has surged to its highest live+same-day ratings in eight years, outperforming rivals in all demographics. The show’s June numbers reflect a sharp rebound, fueled by NBA Finals lead-ins and CBS’ late-night struggles. Kimmel’s audience now exceeds Fallon’s stagnant totals, while CBS’ overall late-night ratings continue to decline. The spike comes amid uncertainty over CBS’ late-night strategy post-Colbert.
What changed
New Nielsen Live+3 data confirms record-breaking ratings for Kimmel’s show, with a 19% total-viewer increase and a 105% jump in the 18-49 demo week-over-week, including NBA-driven peaks.
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'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' hits eight-year high as CBS late-night leader
confidence 95%'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' has surged to its highest live+same-day ratings in eight years, outperforming rivals in all demographics. The show’s June numbers reflect a sharp rebound, fueled by NBA Finals lead-ins and CBS’ late-night struggles. Kimmel’s audience now exceeds Fallon’s stagnant totals, while CBS’ overall late-night ratings continue to decline. The spike comes amid uncertainty over CBS’ late-night strategy post-Colbert.
What's confirmed:
- 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' averaged 2.89 million total viewers and 516,000 in the 18-49 demographic for the week of June 1, up 19% in total viewers and 105% in the demo from the prior week.
- Wednesday’s June 10 post-Game 1 episode drew 3.89 million total viewers and 751,000 in the 18-49 demo, the second-highest of the season.
- Friday’s June 12 post-Game 2 episode averaged 3.38 million total viewers and 846,000 in the 18-49 demo.
- 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' is currently the top-rated late-night show across all demographics, marking its highest ratings since last fall when Kimmel returned from suspension.
- CBS’ late-night ratings have dropped further since Stephen Colbert’s departure, while Kimmel’s ratings now exceed those of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'.
- NBA Finals lead-ins contributed significantly to the spike in 'Jimmy Kimmel Live''s viewership.
Still unconfirmed:
- 'Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Is No. 1 Across Late-Night With Best Numbers Since Season Premiere Week
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'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' smashes ratings as Colbert’s exit reshapes CBS late-night
confidence 95%'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' recorded its highest live+same-day ratings in eight years this week, topping late-night across all demographics. The show’s surge follows Stephen Colbert’s departure, with Kimmel pulling in viewers CBS lost after his exit. Meanwhile, CBS’ late-night ratings have dropped further, and Kimmel’s ratings now exceed Fallon’s stagnant numbers. The NBA Finals lead-ins also contributed to the spike.
What's confirmed:
- 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' ranked No. 1 in late-night for the second straight week, with 2.722 million total viewers and a 0.40 rating in Adults 18-49.
- Weekly ratings rose 10% in total viewers and 90% in Adults 18-49 compared to last year, marking the show’s best season in eight years.
- Kimmel’s Wednesday and Friday episodes drew 3.453 million and 2.990 million viewers respectively, the highest since September 2025.
- The NBA Finals lead-ins and Colbert’s absence contributed to Kimmel’s ratings surge, with CBS’ late-night ratings declining further as a result.
- Fallon’s ratings have stagnated while Kimmel’s have grown significantly since Colbert left the air.
Still unconfirmed:
- Byron Allen, Colbert’s replacement, is facing backlash over ratings performance, though no specific numbers or official statements have been confirmed.
- A partial boycott may have contributed to Kimmel’s record ratings, though details remain unverified.